Federal prosecutors have launched a crackdown on pot dispensaries in California, warning the stores that they must shut down in 45 days or face criminal charges.

They also threatened to confiscate their property even if they are operating legally under the state's 15-year-old medical marijuana law.

In an escalation of the ongoing conflict between the U.S. government and the nation's burgeoning medical marijuana industry, California's four U.S. attorneys sent letters on Wednesday and Thursday notifying at least 16 pot shops or their landlords that they are violating federal drug laws, even though medical marijuana is legal in California.

The attorneys are scheduled to announce their coordinated crackdown at a Friday news conference.Their offices refused to confirm the closure orders.

Copies of the letters that a prosecutor sent to 12 San Diego dispensaries were obtained.

They state that federal law 'takes precedence over state law and applies regardless of the particular uses for which a dispensary is selling and distributing marijuana'.

'Under United States law, a dispensary's operations involving sales and distribution of marijuana are illegal and subject to criminal prosecution and civil enforcement actions,' letters signed by U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy in San Diego read.

'Real and personal property involved in such operations are subject to seizure by and forfeiture to the United States ... regardless of the purported purpose of the dispensary.'...Daily Mail

Yup, and using something as harmless as doobies to divide people. Worthless "professional politician" corporate suck up's. Fill up the private prison system with a system doomed to fail.
Really responsible.